Whole Foods Inks Deal with Instacart for Delivery, Pick-up

Whole Foods Market unveiled today a partnership with grocery delivery service Instacart that offers one-hour deliveries from Whole Foods as well as a forthcoming option that allows customers to pick up their order in-store.

The in-store pick-up option will be piloted at select stores in Austin and Boston in the coming month, and the companies plan to roll it out to all 15 cities in Instacart's service area in subsequent months.

"Instacart makes it extremely easy for our customers to buy Whole Foods Market products from 15 cities and have them quickly delivered—whether buying fresh ingredients for dinner tonight or sending healthy foods to loved ones in another city,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Austin-based Whole Foods Market. “We are thrilled to add this additional convenience for our customers.”

To take advantage of the service, Whole Foods customers can build their order at Instacart.com or via the Instacart mobile app, select their zip code and choose a delivery window. Instacart's "Personal Shoppers" will then deliver the order within the selected time frame.

First national retailer to offer in-store pick-up

As Instacart's first national retailer partner to offer in-store pick-up, the companies are offering shoppers the chance to win free groceries for one year. Customers will receive hidden game pieces in Instacart delivery bags beginning Sept. 12, with five chances to win.

Instacart delivers from Whole Foods Market in all of the 15 cities it currently serves: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Boulder, Colorado, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco, San Jose, California, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

All Instacart customers receive free delivery on their first order; thereafter the cost is $3.99 for two-hour delivery or $5.99 for one-hour delivery. Customers can also purchase a $99 annual Instacart Express membership and receive free delivery on any order more than $35.